Senanayake Mudiyanselage Sachithra Madhushanka Senanayake, popularly known as Sachithra Senanayake, is a talented offspinner hailing from the island nation of Sri Lanka. Born on February 9, 1985, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Senanayake made his international debut in the fourth ODI of the series against South Africa in 2011-2012.
Even before his international debut, Senanayake had already made a name for himself in domestic cricket. With an impressive record of 297 first-class wickets from 59 matches at an astonishing average of 20.50, and 107 List A wickets at an economy rate of 3.90, Senanayake’s abilities with the ball were already well-established. In the 2010-2011 season, he emerged as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the Tier A of the Premier League tournament, claiming 45 wickets in just eight matches at an average of 15.17. Furthermore, he showcased his prowess in limited-overs cricket by being the highest wicket-taker in the 2011-2012 Premier Limited-Over tournament, Sri Lanka’s main one-day competition, with 16 wickets in six games at an impressive average of 11.18.
However, Senanayake’s initial stint in international cricket was short-lived and somewhat underwhelming, leading to his return to domestic cricket. Yet, he managed to catch the attention of the cricketing world when the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL franchise purchased him for a staggering $650,000 in 2013, primarily due to his reputation for possessing one of the finest carrom balls in Sri Lanka.
The year 2013 proved to be a turning point in Senanayake’s career. Apart from his successful IPL campaign, he also delivered exceptional performances in the first-class competition. In the same year, he earned his Test debut for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in December and enjoyed an extended run in the one-day team. His ODI series against England in June 2014 showcased his abilities, with remarkable figures of 4 for 13, which dismantled England for a paltry 99 runs. However, his joy was short-lived as his action was subsequently reported as suspect.
Despite the controversy surrounding his action, Senanayake continued to contribute to Sri Lanka’s success. He played a crucial role in their series win against England, even being involved in a Mankading incident against Jos Buttler in the decider. However, in July 2014, his action was deemed illegal, dealing a significant blow to his career. Determined to continue representing his country, Senanayake worked hard to remodel his action and made his return to international cricket in December 2014.
Throughout his career, Senanayake has exhibited his exceptional skills as an offspinner. His ability to deceive batsmen with subtle variations in flight and spin have often earned him accolades. With consistent performances and a renewed action, Senanayake aims to continue contributing to the success of the Sri Lankan cricket team.
Sachithra Senanayake’s journey from domestic cricket to international recognition has been a tale of perseverance and determination. With his impressive wicket-taking abilities and the resilience to overcome challenges, Senanayake is undoubtedly a valuable asset to Sri Lankan cricket.
